February 21, 2008

Snow Policy

Wells County Snow Policy

The three stages of weather orders under the act are Snow Watch, Snow Warning and Snow Emergency.
Here are the provisions on each:
1. SNOW WATCH
Wells County is in the path of a considerable winter storm promising blizzard conditions. All citizens and employers should keep close contact with the media, so that they are aware of existing situations.
2. SNOW WARNING
The snow and blizzard conditions are worsening. The general public should not use any county roads. The main arteries are opened, but travel should be limited to travel that is absolutely necessary.
3. SNOW EMERGENCY
All traffic is limited to emergency vehicles only. All persons should stay in their present position until the emergency is lifted. A Wells County emergency does not affect the Bluffton and Ossian corporate areas.
The provision exempting Bluffton and Ossian enables those two municipalities, which have their own snow-clearing services or units to make decisions based on their own status at given times.
If city officials deem streets in Bluffton sufficiently cleared and conditions safe for use, the city may have traffic on its streets at times when this is not possible in rural areas. In fact, operations and services in the city may help serve the needs of snowed-impacted rural areas at various stages. The same for Ossian.
The county snow measure is based on authority under state law. Agencies and citizens are called upon to cooperate with emergency or disaster officials and “to obey and comply with the lawful directions of properly identified officers.’’